Envelop-moistening device.



J. D. YOUNG.

ENVELOP MOISTENING DEVICE.

APPLIoATIoN FILED oo'r. 2'1, 1911.

1,031,158. Patented July 2,1912.

WITNEssEs INVENToR 5i/. l ATToREYs Y ness upon the sealing flap of an envelop,

JOHN D. YOUNG, OF LEECHBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

ENVELOP-MOISTENING DEVICE.

1,031,158. Original application filed July 8,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 2, 1912.

1911, Serial No. 637,428. Divided and this application filed October 27,

1911. Serial No. 657,099.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, Jol-IN D. YOUNG, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Leechburg, in the county of Armstrong and State of Pennsylvania, have 1nvented certain new and useful Improvements in Envelop-Moistening Devices, of which the following `is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to an envelop moistening device, is a division of my co-pending application led July 8, 1911, Serial No. 637,428, and has for its object to provide means in a manner as hereinafter set forth for conveniently moistening the adhesiveand to further provide a device of such class, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, that can be advantageously used in offices, large mercantile houses and other establishments having a large number of envelope to moisten prior to the sealing thereof.

Further objects of the invention are to provide in a manner as hereinafter set forth an envelop flap moistening device which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, efficient and convenient in its use, and inexpensive to manufacture.

lVith the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown the preferred embodiment of the invention, but it is to be undertood that changes, variations and j modifications can be resorted to which come within the scope of the claim hereunto appended.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an envelop moistening device in accordance with this invention, and Fig. 2 is a side elevation partly in section.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 1 denotes a platform provided with supports 2, 3, the latter being disposed at right angles with respect to the former. The platform 1 is provided with an extension 11 which in plan conforms to the shape of a sealing flap of an envelop, and is provided with a recess 5 in which is arranged a pad of absorbent material 6, as felt, for holding water or mucilage. The upper surface of the pad 6 is positioned below the upper face of the extension 4l so that the sealing flap of the envelop can be pressed into engagement with the pad 6 by means to be presently referred to. The supports 2, 3 maintain the platform 1 in an elevated position, with the support 2 positioned centrally with respect to the platform. The support 3 is positioned inwardly of the longitudinal center of the platform 1. The support 3 projects beyond the extension el and is provided with an upright 7 formed with a vertically disposed slot S. Iivotally mounted in the slot S through the medium of a transversely disposed pin 9 is a rearwardly extending arm 10 of a presser head 11. The head 11. includes an integral presser plat-e 12, the lower face or bottom thereof enters or cooperates with the pad or moistening clement 6 for moistening adhesive upon the sealing flap. When the head 11 is lowered, the plate 12 is forced into the recess 5 and the lower face of said plate presses the sealing flap against the body 6.

For correctly Vpositioning the sealing flap of the envelop with respect to the pad 6, the extension 4 at the rear is provided with a vertically disposed rib 13, the latter also constitutes a guide'for the presser plate 12 when the latter is lowered by the head 11.

The top of the presser head 11 is provided with a serrated nger piece 14 to be engaged by the operator when the head is lowered to moisten the envelop flap. The head 11 is normally held in an elevated position through the medium of a coiled retracted spring 15 having its upper end connected to t-he upright 7, as at 16, and its lower end secured to the outer end of the arm 10, as at 17. The upper movement of the presser head 11 is limited through the medium of a buffer 18 carried by a right angular eXtension 19 of the upright 7.

To facilitate the manipulation of the envelop when positioned upon the platform 1, the forward edge of the latter approximately centrally thereof is provided wit-h a transverse groove 20 forming a clearance for the thumb or finger when gripping the envelop.

The supports 2, 3 may be provided with felt or other yieldable material 51 to prevent the injuring of the surface upon which the device is positioned during the operation of the device.

The shape of the recess 5 is similar to that A device for the purposes set forth com? prising a rectangular platform provided at its rear with a horizontally disposed recess extending` from a point in proximity to one side edge to a point in proximity to the other side edge, said recess conforming in contour to the shape of the edge 'of the sealing flap of an envelop, an absorbent pad mountedin said recess and having its upper surface positioned in a plane below and parallel with the plane of the upper surface of the platform, a vertically extending and horizontally disposed rib positioned upon said platform at the rear of and conforming in contour to the rear wall of said recess, the forward face of said rib forming a continuation of the rear wall of the recess, a vertically disposed upright arranged against and centrally of the rear edge of the platform, a forwardly projecting arm having its rear end pivotally connected to said upright near the lower end thereof, a pressel1 plate connected to said arm and conforming in contour to the shape of said pad, a presser head connected to the forward edge of said plate, a spring having its upper end connected to said upright and its lower en'd to said arm for maintaining the plate in an elevated position, and an extension projecting from said upright at right angles with respect thereto for limiting the upward movement of said head.

In testimony whereof I aiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN D. YOUNG. Vitnesses:

MAX I-I. SRoLovrrz, CHRISTINA T. Hoon.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

